Hello Everyone

Because we did not have a meeting last week Therese and I headed off to Newcastle for a few days to to catch up with family and friends. It was the first time we have been able to visit Therese’s mum since COVID-19 started to take hold in early March. When you think about it COVID-19 has impacted greatly on all of us this year, especially our ability to keep in touch with family. Hopefully we have turned the corner with infections in Australia at an all time low. I think it is also important to reflect on the hardships endured by those in Victoria during their hard lockdown, I am sure that their efforts have helped reduce the spread of the disease across the whole country.

The best thing about coming home on Saturday ? Taking the new NorthConnex Tunnel, it was fantastic and saved the frustration that we have had to endure in the past trying to navigate a congested Pennant Hills Road.

This week we welcome Pete Gordon to our Zoom meeting. Pete is retired, though he does work for fun as a business analyst in Defense. He has for many years had a keen interest in renewable energy and sustainability, and as an ex ‘petrol head’ the introduction of Electric Vehicles (EV) into the community.  Pete is a committee member of the Australian EV Association, and he carries out electrification of bicycles as a hobby, when not driving his own little BMW i3 EV.  Pete lives near Merimbula, in a self-built, fully sustainable, passive solar house, with 7kW of PV and a Tesla battery.

Friends of Rotary and members of the public getting our Beacon by email wanting to hear Pete are asked to email me at president@naroomarotary.org.au and I will send you an invitation.

have a great week everyone.

Ange’s Chat

All was revealed to us by Carolyn Wells about the inside story of SCPA ( Sapphire Coast Producers Assoc) last week. SCPA is all about supporting the grower and inspiring locals to buy produce here where we live. An amazing organisation, established in 1992 to support and promote sustainable food production and regenerative agriculture in the South East region of NSW. It now has a flourishing and vibrant network so vital in this age of Climate Change. It supports local growers to engage with ecologically sound production practices.

With over 2,900 subscribers to their online newsletter, SCPA plays a pivotal role in providing marketing and networking opportunities. Current SCPA Projects include Bega and Tilba Produce Markets, Bega Valley Seed Savers, SCPA Workshops by experts to benefit producers to enhance biodiversity and learn useful farming skills. 

A very popular initiative has been on building and cultivating community with neighbourhood food swaps. In addition climate smart farming Workshops administered by SCPA are being piloted in Wapengo, Quaama, Brogo and Bemboka.

Food Security is so important in our region as weather conditions impact and SCPA is playing an impressive role to safeguard our community’s food source.

Have a great week – Ange

RAWCS 2019 Bushfires Appeal

Rotary Clubs have been invited by District to donate to one or several of the following RAWCS Projects: Our Board made a decision to donate $500 to each at this stage.

• Qld Bushfire Relief Appeal
• NSW Bushfire Farmers in Need Appeal
• Taree & Mid Coast Bushfire Relief Appeal.

Rotary Market 24/11

Thanks to everyone for a very successful market. Chris O’Brien said it would be a big one and it was! We had 82 stalls and 58 stallholders. LP Duo from Tuross entertained us with easy listening music and there was a definite a holiday buzz already in the air.

The van returned $463.30, The wishing well $123.05 and the gate $1445.00

The Christmas market is filling up fast and Chris doing a great job expects about 100 stalls on Friday 27 Dec. It will be all hands on deck!

Dates for your Diary

• Thursday 12 December 2019 – BOARD MEETING & AGM
• Thursday 12 December 2019 – Primary School Presentation Assembly
• Friday 13 December 2019 – High School Prsentation Assembly
• Sunday 15 December 2019 – Carols by Candlelight NATA Oval
• Thursday 19 December 2019 – Christmas Party at the Inlet, 6 for 6.30pm
• Saturday 21 December 2019 – Interviews for Tertiary Education Scholarship 2020
• Sunday 22 December 2019 – Eurobodalla Rotary Clubs Christmas Race Day
• Sunday 26 January 2020 – Australia Day Celebrations, Presentations & Market
• Wednesday 26 February 2020 – Race Day Presentation at the combined Rotary International Birthday Dinner, Moruya Golf Club
• Thursday 5 March 2020 – Cinders Trivia Night with Rotary Moruya, hosted by Narooma.
• Friday, Saturday & Sunday 6-8 March 2020 – District Conference Ulladulla

Tonight’s Speaker

Tonight’s speaker is Andrew Elek, Andrew is a member of Moruya Rotary and economist extraordinaire he is going to give us the low down on tradfe wars and the role the US and China play. I recoken it will be pretty interesting given the latest media interest in China.

Andrew has worked extensively in development economics in Asia and the South Pacific, including as a Senior Economist with the World Bank.

From 1985 to 1987, he served as Chief Economist in the Economic Planning Advisory Council of the Australian Government. From 1987 to 1990 Andrew was head of the Economic and Trade Development Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

In 1989, he was the inaugural chairman of APEC Senior Officials, with a central role in the establishment of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation process.

From 1990 to 1994 Andrew was a Senior Research Fellow at the ANU, then became self-employed, thinking and writing about international trade policy and international economic cooperation. He has published many policy-oriented papers, including on APEC and the G20.

Andrew was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1991, for service to international relations.

From ‘The Conversation’

Please bring along your friends and family to hear Andrew’s fascinating presentation. Please let Charmaine know if you plan to bring a guest.

Ange’s Chat

This Thursday is our film night at the Kinema for World Polio Day with the Narooma premiere of Ride Like a Girl. I hope to see you there, maybe even dressed up for the races.

Last Thursday we were delighted to have John James as our guest speaker to talk on the current scientific consensus about climate change. John has been studying the statistics for over 40 years and said there is irrefutable evidence we are heading for huge upheavals in the near future with the rate of CO2 levels in the atmosphere accelerating at an alarming rate and our ecosystem collapsing. He believes the South Coast is one of the few parts of Australia that can escape the worst predictions. His message was powerful but also positive. He believes community organisations must start now to prepare and seek solutions. See Bob’s report below.

Other things to mention:

Busking Festival: Our Board decided on 10 October to invite sponsors, service organisations and others to a community meeting on 14 November at the Golf Club to discuss how Narooma could continue to host the 2020 Busking Festival in the absence of so many of our key Rotary Busking organisers who will be away for next year’s event. That event is still planned.

Presidents meet: Last Monday I met with our ADG Alan Russell, Moruya President Marion and Batemans Bay President Pam to report on our respective Club activities. We also discussed the Rotary Christmas races on Sunday 22 December, the combined clubs’ get-together on Wednesday 26 February in Moruya to celebrate Rotary International’s birthday, and our annual Cinders Trivia Trophy with Moruya on Thursday 5 March which we will host.

Christmas Party: Chris is trying to organise a venue for our Christmas Party; the choice of venue depends on numbers. I realise it is early, but if you haven’t already done so, please let her know if you are attending and, if so, if you are bringing guests.

THIS WEEK

We host the Narooma premiere of the film Ride like a Girl at the Kinema this Thursday, World Polio Day, instead of meeting at the Golf Club.

It’s a wonderful film about Michelle Payne, the first woman jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, so come dressed for the races. We’ll have prizes for Fashions on the Field, judged by David and Rachel McInnes who will dress up in style. David and Rachel are also organising the raffle.

We join Rotary Clubs around the world on the 24th in holding events to focus on raising awareness and funds to help eliminate the paralyzing disease polio (see update on polio status later in Beacon).

Drinks and nibbles at 6.30. Ange will do a brief intro at 7 followed by the raffle draw, then the 10 minute YouTube clip about the history of Polio by Rotary International President Mark Maloney, and then the film.

The Week that Was

Our 12 Narooma Rotarians were joined last Thursday by a truckload of guests to listen to our guest speaker John James. We also welcomed Derek Anderson and his wife Fran from Moruya Rotary.

We were fortunate to have John as our guest speaker. He is a renowned architect with an interest in physiology and a passion for the environment. In introducing him, I briefly outlined his significant involvement in architecture, especially early Gothic architecture and the environment.

John spoke about the threats of Climate Change and his belief that we are now entering a critical time where the impacts of these changes may have a catastrophic impact on the world as we know it. He indicated that although governments supported the goals of the Paris Agreement, there seems to be little or no effort to actually put in place strategies to meet agreed targets. He also indicated that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere continues to grow at alarming rates and that politicians cannot do what is required to bring these dangerous levels under control.

John felt that if the threat of Climate Change was to be addressed, it must occur locally with communities working together. In all a very sobering address. If you want to know more about John, check out his website by clicking here. Bob Aston

Renewable Energy Expo

Our Expo committee met last Thursday and it’s all systems go for our Expo on Saturday 2 November, 10am to 4pm in Narooma Sport & Leisure Centre. The Expo committee thanks everyone who put their names forward to help on the day.

The committee is delighted with the response from exhibitors. They include South Coast Green Energy, Micro Energy, Solahart Far South Coast, Shoalhaven Solar, Simmark, SHASA, 350.org, All Solar & Electrix, Heavenly Heat, Sunny Afternoons and Energy Options.  Also on show will be e-bikes (Moruya Bikes), battery operated power tools, and some options for caravaners and campers. Narooma High’s Roborebels will also be showing their junior and senior robots.

We received good coverage of our Expo media release last week in both online and hard copies of Narooma News, Bay Post, Moruya Examiner and Independent, as well as the Beagle Weekly, with Town and Country Magazine presumably this week and a feature the following week.

Out and About

Bega’s Bad Taste Silent Auction success

Bega Rotarians last week enjoyed a fun night at their Annual Bega Rotary Silent Auction complete with a ‘Bad Taste’ dress code. They raised about $2,000 for the club. Participants were very generous with lots of goodies and great wines to be purchased, with plenty of gazumping. The ‘Bad Taste’ dress prompted much laughter, including the organiser Dorothea’s fantastic 1950s ‘home keeping outfit’ complete with hair rollers and apron.

Moruya’s Small Farms Field Days

Moruya is organising Small Farm Field Days at Moruya Showground on 20/21 March 2020. Their working party consists of Allan Veness, Peta Thompson, Pauline Gleeson, Phil Armstrong, Keith Armstrong and Col Jay. Moruya’s newsletter reports progress is good but much remains to be done, like find more exhibitors (they already have about 34), invite sponsors, and assign tasks to members. The site at the Showground is mapped out, paper work has been sent to potential exhibitors and some bookings have been confirmed. The Antique Tractor group will provide working entertainment.

Update on polio’s current status

When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative more than 30 years ago, polio paralyzed 1,000 children every day. Since then, thanks to this initiative, the number of cases has dropped by 99.9%, from 350,000 in 1988 in 125 countries to 33 cases of wild poliovirus in 2018 in just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

With polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners are trying to sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.

Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that with $2 for every $1 raised, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million. 

NEXT WEEK

A quiet but busy dinner meeting to finalise arrangements for the Renewable Energy Expo just two days later. It will also be a chance to discuss the community meeting on 14 November about the 2020 Busking Festival.

Charmaine’s Chat

Last week’s International Toast was to the Bahamas and all the work Rotary will be doing after the devastation caused by the recent hurricane.

Many guests associated with our whalewatching raffle came last week. The raffle raised $1,429 which was boosted to $1,500 by the Board which I presented to the President of Monty’s Place David Kelleher. He gave a brief overview of Monty’s and the Wednesday community lunches – more details below. I presented Norm Ingersoll of Narooma Charters with a certificate of appreciation for his kind donation of whale watching tickets over the years, and presented whale watching tickets to the lucky raffle ticket holder Darren Overton. Darren’s family Cheryl Davison and Cody and Thomas also attended. Cheryl has kindly offered to donate either a print of one of her famous artworks or a Sydney Swans Jersey (with her artwork design) for a future raffle.

Great to welcome Peter Bull back last week. He gave a brief talk about the 20 Rotary clubs he visited on the Gold Coast during his winter sojourn (See below). He has been busy!
I won’t be at this week’s meeting so Laurelle has kindly agreed to chair it.
We received a lovely postcard from Mauritius from John Rungen. He will be back mid-September which could possibly mean this Thursday…

THIS WEEK

Our guest speakers areCat Wilson and her husband Faouzi Saouli who will take us on a tour of the musical traditions of Morocco with Faouzi also playing his lute (Oud). Ange says Paul at the Golf Club will also get into the mood with some Moroccan offerings.

The week that was

As Charmaine mentioned, last week we welcomed back Peter Bull from his winter escape to the Gold Coast. It was also great to have our man from Dubbo, Gordon Bentley with us. Peter gave a short update on his time on the Gold Coast as well as the varied Rotary Clubs he visited whilst enjoying the warm winter sun (see below).

We also welcomed Norm Ingersoll from Narooma Charters, David Kelleher from Monty’s, and Darren Overton and his partner Cheryl and children Coby and Tom. The donation from the raffle to Monty’s Place is to assist with their kitchen expansion and renovation plans. David said Monty’s served a community meal each and every Wednesday in the Uniting Church hall. People from all walks of life attend. Its aim is to provide an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy each other’s company. There is seating for 48 in the hall and, combined with’ taker-aways’, between 60 and 80 people are served each week.

News from the Board Meeting

Our Board meeting last Thursday agreed to donate $500 to Australia Rotary Health to assist in Mental Health Research. It also agreed to delay consideration of instigating a breakfast club (similar to the one instigated by the Bega Club) until after the Expo.

The Board also discussed a possible location for the defibrillator returned to us by Woolworths. Several locations were suggested. Charmaine will follow up. The Board also agreed to host the Camera Club’s photo exhibition of the Busking Competition as a publicity event for next year’s Competition.

Peter Bull reports on Gold Coast Clubs

Peter gave a brief summary of some of the activities of Rotary Clubs on the Gold Coast where the population is increasing by 12,000 a year. The Passport Club has 40 members mainly under 45 who focus on humanitarian work; they meet once a month for one hour and function as an E-club.
There are many different formats working including breakfast, night, weekly, once a month, once a fortnight and club mergers. Some now have a bulletin only once a month.
Another club builds wheelchairs from old bicycles and sends them to the Pacific islands. Another manages 22 villas for homeless people.

Out and About

From Moruya Rotary

Shirley Cornish-Hayes and husband John from Moruya Rotary report continuing enquiries following their booth at the Hamburg Rotary International Convention promoting their Sexual Health Education programme in several developing nations. They spoke to us about this programme in August. Their next overseas venture will be to northern India to ‘Train the Trainers’.

Merimbula Rotary installing AEDs

Merimbula Rotary Club has funded the installation of defibrillators in Tura Beach’s shopping mall and at Merimbula McDonald’s. The defibrillators are accessible at all hours, securely installed and monitored on the outside of the buildings. Josh Stanton of Tura Beach was the driving force behind their installation following a near tragedy close to home and was delighted when Merimbula Rotary took on the project to fully fund the purchase and installation of the two defibrillators.

NEXT WEEK

Keith Mundy, owner of Tilba Nursery, will talk about Australian Native Plants for the Spring garden. Keith and partner Desiree have had the Tilba Nursery since 1999, initially at Foxglove Gardens but now around the corner at a standalone site. Keith has extensive qualifications and experience, writes the garden column in The Triangle, and has a popular monthly garden talk at La Galette Café at Tilba Tilba. This should be another great night at our Club. Bring your partners and friends.

Rod’s Ramble

Off to Canberra again this week – President in absentia again. Laurelle will be in the chair. I hope though to be around for the rest of April’s meeting.

I thought last week’s meeting had a really good vibe with a wonderful number of guests, mainly thanks to Ange’s efforts. Dr Denis Muller was certainly an interesting guest speaker.

We also had a visiting Rotarian, Colin Lyle from the Rotary Club of Sète. Sète is a major port in the southeast French region of Occitanie. It’s bordered by the Étang de Thau, a biodiverse saltwater lagoon and across a narrow isthmus, Sète’s Mediterranean coast which is lined with sandy beaches. The top of Mont St Clair offers views of the city, known as “Venice of the Languedoc” for its canal network. The Musée Paul Valéry has displays on the history of Sète, plus an art collection. 

We have plenty of action coming up.

OUT AND ABOUT

Last Week

Last Thursday we had 32 members and guests at our meeting. We were delighted to have Colin Lyle with us from the Rotary Club of Sete as well as our guest speaker, Dr Denis Muller.

Colin Lyle is in Australia to visit family and decided that Narooma was a good place to stop over on his way to Melbourne. Like Narooma Rotary, the Rotary Club of Sete is finding it difficult to attract new members, the average age of members is over 70. The Club has two dinner meetings as well as two informal meetings a month.

Denis Muller spoke on Fake news and the decline in credibility of the media. Denis is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Advancing Journalism at the University of Melbourne. Denis believes that the main reasons for the loss of public trust in the media include political partisanship, the perverse effects of competition, the culture of competitiveness and individualism, and the lack of accountability.

Denis believes that although ‘Fake News’ is not new (he provided numerous examples of fake news from well before the Internet and social media) the rise of the Internet makes it all the more prevalent with many journalists, social media companies and media organisations failing to check the facts before a story is published.

RYDA

This Thursday, Sandra, Ange and Geoff will tell us all about their experiences at this year’s Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA). They will have accompanied Narooma High’s Year 11 students around the various stops on Tuesday. RYDA targets pre-learner drivers from Eurobodalla Shire’s five high-schools. It is run by Batemans Bay Rotary in conjunction with Moruya and Narooma Clubs. Our Club pays for the bus to get Narooma students there.

District 9710 Changeover

Incoming District Governor, Peter Ford has advised that the District Changeover is on  Sunday 30 June 2019 at Gold Creek Station, Victoria Street, HALL ACT. 12 noon for 12.30pm start. Details re cost and registration still to come.

NEXT WEEK: Pride of Workmanship Awards

Next Thursday is the club’s annual Pride of Workmanship Awards, one of our most prestigious nights of the year. It will be wonderful to have a few of our partners along.

We look like making about eight awards. Each person receiving an award has been nominated by their employer because of their outstanding qualities in terms of approach, attitude, dedication and commitment to their job. This Rotary program aims to encourage pride of workmanship in the community by publicly recognising the value of a pride in personal performance in the workplace, hence the scheme’s motto ‘Do it once, do it well.’ Another way of saying that might be, ‘Good enough is just not good enough’.

It’s normal time – 6 for 6.30pm. Cost is $35 for a two-course meal (choice of two dishes each course; please let Bob know numbers and any special dietary requirements). Hope to see you there.

On a lighter note

• Every time you clean something, you make something else dirty.
• Many animals probably need glasses, but nobody knows it.

Rod’s Ramble

Firstly thanks to Peter Bull for editing the Beacon in Laurelle’s absence and dealing with some frustrating technical issues along the way. Welcome back Laurelle and Ange we look forward to hearing about your travels in the future.

Our meeting this week will be an assembly. I am discussing with the Board some ideas for fundraising and community activities for the last half of this Rotary year and will report back at the meeting on what we have in mind.

This remembrance day Sunday 11^th November Jennifer and I will be representing Rotary at a wreath laying ceremony. In would be good if other Rotarians could also attend. Details at this week’s meeting. I was researching information on Narooma and the First World War and found this link on the Narooma Memorial School of Arts. Click here for the link

I also found this extract from the  the Moruya Examiner of 6 April 1918 which I think encapsulates the sacrifices being made by the young men of Australia including Narooma.

On Tuesday last, March 26th, Narooma was in Festal array, the occasion being the home-coming of Lance-Corporal James Anderson, D.C.M., who has been on active service for the past two years in France, having been wounded twice. On the first occasion he greatly distinguished himself although wounded, and on the second occasion he received a knock-out which necessitated his being invalided home, and is now an inmate of the Randwick Military Hospital, where, I understand, he has to undergo an operation, having lost one of his eyes, hence he was granted a few days leave to come home and visit his friends and relatives. Word was only received late on Monday evening by his father that he was coming home via the s.s. Merimbula, so the citizens were early astir on Tuesday morning making preparations for his reception.

Can I ask that if you are not attending a meeting or are bringing guests that you advise Secretary Bob ASAP. 

The week that was

Last Thursday President Rod was busy scribing in Canberra, so VP Laurelle was in the chair ( I think she was still getting over a bit of jet lag!) we spent a bit of time catching up with Laurelle and Angie about their travels as well as discussing options to improve our membership. Secretary Bob also gave a quick demonstration of the RI website, Ry Rotary and donations to the Foundation.

11 members were present along with our regular guest Iris. We missed John and Sandra as John was recovering from his second cataract operation.  Rolf was absent celebrating his birthday with friends and family. 

Four Winds Youth Music Festival 

Come and be inspired by amazing young musicians performing at Four Winds. Young, talented musicians from the Sapphire Coast will perform with the Western Sydney Youth Orchestra and The Australian Voices in concert on Sunday 18 November 11.00am to 2.30pm at Four Winds Nature’s Concert Hall (Windsong Pavilion and Sound Shell).

The three-day Inaugural Four Winds Youth Music Festival will climax with this very special event on Sunday 18 November.  Concert tickets are $30 for adults, children 16yrs and under are free.

The concert will begin at 11.00am in the Windsong Pavilion.

From 1.15pm the focus of the performance will move to the sublime setting of Nature’s Concert Hall after a 45-minute, extended interval/lunch break. 

Once the music begins again, the Festival will present wonderful repertoire performed by the Western Sydney Youth Orchestra and The Australian Voices. They will be joined by local musicians and choristers who will sing and play alongside these magnificent ensembles – a very special opportunity for the South Coast’s young people.

If enough members are interested Four Winds can organise a group booking for us. 

Attendance

If you are unable to attend a dinner meeting or if you are bring a guest PLEASE advise the secretary by 4:30pm on the Tuesday before the meeting. Please remember if no advice is received it will be assumed that you are coming to the dinner. 

Some Humour

Teacher: “If I gave you 2 cats and another 2 cats and another 2, how many would you have?”
Johnny: “Seven.”
Teacher: “No, listen carefully… If I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?”
Johnny: “Seven.”
Teacher: “Let me put it to you differently. If I gave you two apples, and another two apples and another two, how many would you have?”
Johnny: “Six.”
Teacher: “Good. Now if I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?”
Johnny: “Seven!”
Teacher: “Johnny, where in the heck do you get seven from?!”
Johnny: “Because I’ve already got a freaking cat!”

Rod’s Ramble

Hello, Rod’s Ramble comes from the Nation’s capital today. I am in Canberra for a week working. Hopefully Laurelle will be in the chair for this week’s meeting. Welcome back Laurelle, look forward to hearing about you travels soon. I understand Angie is also back tonight, welcome home Angie. 

Over the weekend I attended my high school 50^th year reunion along with our own Peter Bull and friend John Brown. Yes, we went to the same high school Sydney Boys High and finished year 12 in the same year 1968. It was great to catch up with friends not seen for 50 years and not recognised thank heavens for name badges. Lots of tall stories were told and teachers bagged. I also found out that Peter Bull started his career as a larrikin 50+ years ago.

Sunday’s market had a good vibe at least while I was there until 10.30. The volunteering expo was going well with lots of exhibitors and interest from market goers. Thanks to Chris for wrangling all the exhibitors and Charmaine for organising the volunteer event. We will do a debrief with the exhibitors and decide if we might make it an annual event.

As I said at the meeting we are still searching for a President for 2018-19. The AGM is only 6 weeks away and the President Elect should be in place before then. Why – so that the incoming President can have some influence over who is on their Board. Not sure what happens if we don’t get someone, probably means our 60^th year is our last year.

At this week’s meeting the recently formed membership committee is going to lead a discussion on their deliberations to date. I what to encourage everyone to participate.

Have a great week.

Renewable Energy Expo – Some feedback 

Hi Frank,

I just wanted  to thank you for all of your support and help with the Expo last Saturday.  I suspect that without you we would not have had such a success with 10 exhibitors plus the Tesla – and then approx. 250 through the door.  While the numbers do not match those that you have had for the past two years – I was extremely pleased and consider the Expo a success.

I have had positive feedback from some of the exhibitors and believe that most if not all will participate next year in Narooma.

Thanks to the Narooma Club for allowing us to run the Expo in Moruya this years and if there is anything that we can do to assist the Narooma Club next year then please let me know.  Thanks again  

Phil Armstrong

Market Takings 

Markets: Gate – $1125; Van – $669; Wishing Well – $246.30

Attendance

Last Weeks Attendance:  12 Members, 1 Visiting Rotarian, 2 Club Guests, 10 Guests

Rod’s Ramble: 

As I write this I am laid low with a cold so Rod’s Ravings may be a better title.

 Last week’s meeting had a great vibe due to the unexpected attendance of three Rotarians and two partners from Victoria and our regular visitor Rotarian Gordon. “Older” members tell me that visiting Rotarians was a regular feature of meetings in the past as Canberra Rotarians came to Narooma for holidays. I am thinking of writing to all the Canberra clubs reminding them we are here and encouraging them to visit. What do you think?

Wednesday October 24^th is World Polio Day. Here is a link to more information on this event. https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day 

• 

Secretary’s Musings 

A couple of weeks ago Luke Burgess the Maintenance Manager at Dalmeny IRT emailed me to ask if Rotary was interested in some old wheelchairs, walkers and other equipment no longer suitable for use at the Care Centre. I emailed Fred Fawke to see if he and RAWCS were interested, well at least I thought I did! I was actually using an incorrect email address. When I realised my mistake, I made contact with Fred on Friday afternoon. Believe it or not Fred was on his way to Moruya with a three-tonne truck to pick up some hospital beds, so on Saturday he was able to continue on to Dalmeny to pick up all the gear. We managed to load a heap of old wheel chairs, walkers, walking sticks and other bits of pieces onto the truck before the rain struck. I understand that the gear will be sent to Sierra Leone.

Thanks to Fred Fawke and Brain Goldstraw (Gungahlin Rotary) who picked up the gear and to Luke Burgess and the IRT who made a very generous donation to help Rotary International projects.

I also made a quick trip Moruya Rotary’s Renewable Energy Expo on Saturday afternoon. Although the number of exhibitors and visitors were less than what we had experienced when our Club held the event at the Leisure Centre it was great to see the Moruya Club take up this important initiative. Thanks to Frank for all his enthusiasm for the event and to Phil Armstrong and his team from Moruya for taking the event on this year.  Hopefully, we can bring the Expo back to Narooma in 2019 with Moruya taking it up again in 2020.

Attendance :  13 Members, 6 Visiting Rotarians, 5 Visitors & 2 Club Guests

Members are reminded to advise me by 4:30pm on the Tuesday prior to the meeting if they are an apology for our Thursday meeting. If you are bringing a guest, please also let me know by 4:30 each Tuesday. Preferred format for letting me know is email.